During defeat by the home side in Cape Town, Australia captain Steve Smith admitted his team had tried to change the condition of the ball using a piece of sandpaper. The aim was to gain reverse swing in an attempt to stem South African dominance.

As a result, Smith, David Warner, the vice-captain, and Cameron Bancroft, the opening batsman, have left the tour in disgrace. Smith and Warner are expected to receive lengthy bans of up to a year while Bancroft, who was tasked with actually carrying out the cheat, could be dealt with more leniently because of his junior status.

Morale in the Australia camp is almost non-existent and shorn of Smith and Warner, their two best batters, it is easy to come to the conclusion that following the beating by 322 runs at Newlands they are set for another hammering.

After all, the story broke with Australia fighting hard. Once the brown stuff had hit the fan they collapsed hopelessly and horribly, sick to the stomach. They were bowled out for just 107.

Many bookies agree. South Africa were available at +138 to win in Cape Town. Their price has collapsed. Some green listed bookmakers have them at -188, William Hill -200 and Ladbrokes -225. It is a major shift. Australia are best at +400 with Ladbrokes.

Ordinarily, it would be easy to make a case for the Aussies at such a price. Not now. They just want to get home and try to put it behind them. Although when they land on their own turf they may wish they were back in SA. Their countrymen are ashamed of them.

Another price of note is the -175 that Bodog offer about South Africa getting a first-innings lead. It could be worthy of an interest with the tourists still in shock and it might take them a while to get their heads straight.

There will also be turmoil on the top Australia runscorer market. Joe Burns, Matt Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell will replace the disgraced trio. And there is a strong argument that they will be able to turn up with their focus 100 per cent on the game, unlike their team-mates already present.

Burns should go off around +400 with green-listed bookies, Renshaw +450 and Maxwell +550. Betting all three is not the worst idea in the world.